J W Miller & Sons Ltd
Encyclopedia
J W Miller & Sons Ltd was a boatbuilder in St Monans, Fife
, Scotland
for over 200 years. They produced a variety of fishing boats, yachts and motor launches. The firm built 110 Fifie
yachts and was known worldwide for the quality and craftsmanship of their vessels. The yard is now closed.
and Anstruther
. As well as being boat builders, the firm were the local joiners and undertakers, making the coffins themselves.
James Thomson Niven Miller opened a second yard in Anstruther, where he was able to build larger Fifie
fishing boats, and steam trawlers and drifters
, fitted with compound steam engines. He diversified into building cargo boats, launches, fishery inspection vessels and yacht
s. Later, he was a pioneer for the marine internal combustion engine
, installing a diesel two-stroke engine in a 62 ft Fifie fishing boat. In 1908 he fitted a four cylinder Kelvin paraffin engine in a 40 ft yacht and became an agent for Kelvin engines
, an agency which lasted for the lifetime of the business.
Miller's played their part in the two world wars, building motor launches for the Royal Navy for use in the Near East during World War I
. Between the wars, while still producing fishing boats, yacht building came into its own. From 1920 to 1939, 66 yachts were built, many to Miller's own design. Others were designed by naval architects including G L Watson
and W G McBryde. A total of 59 vessels, motor torpedo boat
s and motor launches were built during and immediately after World War II
. Post-war, a number of new fishing fleets and several large luxury yachts were built. In 1957, James's grandson, Jimmy, designed the Fifie
yachts, on fishing boat lines. The first, a 31 footer Royal Fifer, was taken to the 1958 Boat Show at Olympia
and was sold on preview day. Up to 1969, 110 Fifer yachts were built, the largest being 45 feet, with several making Round the World trips.
Miller's remained a family business, passing through several generations. The firm was known worldwide for the quality and craftsmanship of their vessels. In 1934, brothers Tom and Willie took over the business. Their father, James, continued to run the ship chandlers - grocery store until his death in 1944. Willie designed and patented a motor driven capstan
that was named 'Fifer'. It was assembled in an enlarged engineer's shop, previously used to build smaller boats. Tom's son, Jimmy, served time in the boatyard, studied naval architecture, and designed many of the fishing boats built. Willie's son, Jim, like his father before him, went to Bergius
in Glasgow
to serve time as an engineer. However, he made his name as the Scottish and classical singer, Niven Miller and did not pursue a career in the boatyard. After Tom's death, Jimmy took his father's place in the business, with his youngest sister, Jessie working in the office. The business continued to flourish.
With the introduction of steam and motor power, fishing gear became more complex. An advertising pamphlet from 1967 has a list of the gear that Miller's made, including net winches, trawl winches and rope coilers. Willie retired to New Zealand, leaving Jimmy and Jessie to carry on, but with no sons, it was the end of the Miller line. In 1972, Jimmy constructed a steel-hulled fishing boat for George Moodie of Port Seton. James McBurney of McTay Marine
built the hull and Millers fitted the engine and steering gear and completed fitting out at St Monans. This was followed by the Ocean Herald for John McBain of Pittenweem, Ocean Triumph a 76 footer, for Ian Murray of Anstruther and another 76 footer for Robert Clark of North Berwick.
In 1976, the company was taken over by McTay Marine
, a member of the Mowlem
group. Jimmy and Jessie continued to manage it for a while, but after Jimmy retired, things began to change. McTay switched to the construction of steel-hulled fishing boats. The yard has closed and lies derelict, more than 200 years of family history had come to an end.
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
for over 200 years. They produced a variety of fishing boats, yachts and motor launches. The firm built 110 Fifie
Fifie
The Fifie is a design of sailing boat developed on the east coast of Scotland. It was a traditional fishing boat used by Scottish fishermen from the 1850s until well into the 20th century...
yachts and was known worldwide for the quality and craftsmanship of their vessels. The yard is now closed.
History
The firm of James N. Miller & Sons was established in 1747, by John Miller, wheelwright and joiner of Over Kellie. Up to 1888, the firm built fishing boats for St Monans, PittenweemPittenweem
Pittenweem is a small and secluded fishing village and civil parish tucked in the corner of Fife on the east coast of Scotland. According to the 2006 estimate, the village has a population of 1,600. At the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 1,747....
and Anstruther
Anstruther
Anstruther is a small town in Fife, Scotland. The two halves of Anstruther are divided by a small stream called Dreel Burn. Anstruther lies 9 miles south-southeast of St Andrews. It is the largest community on the stretch of north-shore coastline of the Firth of Forth known as the East Neuk,...
. As well as being boat builders, the firm were the local joiners and undertakers, making the coffins themselves.
James Thomson Niven Miller opened a second yard in Anstruther, where he was able to build larger Fifie
Fifie
The Fifie is a design of sailing boat developed on the east coast of Scotland. It was a traditional fishing boat used by Scottish fishermen from the 1850s until well into the 20th century...
fishing boats, and steam trawlers and drifters
Drifter (fishing boat)
A drifter is a type of fishing boat. They were designed to catch herrings in a long drift net. Herring fishing using drifters has a long history in the Netherlands and in many British fishing ports, particularly in East Scottish ports....
, fitted with compound steam engines. He diversified into building cargo boats, launches, fishery inspection vessels and yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
s. Later, he was a pioneer for the marine internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
, installing a diesel two-stroke engine in a 62 ft Fifie fishing boat. In 1908 he fitted a four cylinder Kelvin paraffin engine in a 40 ft yacht and became an agent for Kelvin engines
Kelvin Diesels
Kelvin Diesels is a manufacturer of marine diesel engines based in Glasgow, Scotland. The company's engines are used in a variety of vessels such as fishing boats and small tugs.- History :...
, an agency which lasted for the lifetime of the business.
Miller's played their part in the two world wars, building motor launches for the Royal Navy for use in the Near East during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Between the wars, while still producing fishing boats, yacht building came into its own. From 1920 to 1939, 66 yachts were built, many to Miller's own design. Others were designed by naval architects including G L Watson
George Lennox Watson
George Lennox Watson was a Scottish naval architect. He was born in Glasgow, son of Thomas Lennox Watson, a doctor at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and grandson of Sir Timothy Burstall, engineer and entrant at the 1829 Rainhill Trials.-Early life:...
and W G McBryde. A total of 59 vessels, motor torpedo boat
Motor Torpedo Boat
Motor Torpedo Boat was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the Royal Navy, and the Royal Canadian Navy.The capitalised term is generally used for the Royal Navy boats and abbreviated to "MTB"...
s and motor launches were built during and immediately after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Post-war, a number of new fishing fleets and several large luxury yachts were built. In 1957, James's grandson, Jimmy, designed the Fifie
Fifie
The Fifie is a design of sailing boat developed on the east coast of Scotland. It was a traditional fishing boat used by Scottish fishermen from the 1850s until well into the 20th century...
yachts, on fishing boat lines. The first, a 31 footer Royal Fifer, was taken to the 1958 Boat Show at Olympia
Olympia, London
Olympia is an exhibition centre and conference centre in West Kensington, on the boundary between The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W14 8UX, England. It opened in the 19th century and was originally known as the National Agricultural Hall.Opened in 1886,...
and was sold on preview day. Up to 1969, 110 Fifer yachts were built, the largest being 45 feet, with several making Round the World trips.
Miller's remained a family business, passing through several generations. The firm was known worldwide for the quality and craftsmanship of their vessels. In 1934, brothers Tom and Willie took over the business. Their father, James, continued to run the ship chandlers - grocery store until his death in 1944. Willie designed and patented a motor driven capstan
Capstan (nautical)
A capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to apply force to ropes, cables, and hawsers. The principle is similar to that of the windlass, which has a horizontal axle.- History :...
that was named 'Fifer'. It was assembled in an enlarged engineer's shop, previously used to build smaller boats. Tom's son, Jimmy, served time in the boatyard, studied naval architecture, and designed many of the fishing boats built. Willie's son, Jim, like his father before him, went to Bergius
Kelvin Diesels
Kelvin Diesels is a manufacturer of marine diesel engines based in Glasgow, Scotland. The company's engines are used in a variety of vessels such as fishing boats and small tugs.- History :...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
to serve time as an engineer. However, he made his name as the Scottish and classical singer, Niven Miller and did not pursue a career in the boatyard. After Tom's death, Jimmy took his father's place in the business, with his youngest sister, Jessie working in the office. The business continued to flourish.
With the introduction of steam and motor power, fishing gear became more complex. An advertising pamphlet from 1967 has a list of the gear that Miller's made, including net winches, trawl winches and rope coilers. Willie retired to New Zealand, leaving Jimmy and Jessie to carry on, but with no sons, it was the end of the Miller line. In 1972, Jimmy constructed a steel-hulled fishing boat for George Moodie of Port Seton. James McBurney of McTay Marine
McTay Marine
-Facilities:The McTay Marine shipyard is located at Bromborough on the South bank of the River Mersey, in the North West of England. The purpose built facilities are arranged on a site with ramped slipway facilities directly into the River Mersey...
built the hull and Millers fitted the engine and steering gear and completed fitting out at St Monans. This was followed by the Ocean Herald for John McBain of Pittenweem, Ocean Triumph a 76 footer, for Ian Murray of Anstruther and another 76 footer for Robert Clark of North Berwick.
In 1976, the company was taken over by McTay Marine
McTay Marine
-Facilities:The McTay Marine shipyard is located at Bromborough on the South bank of the River Mersey, in the North West of England. The purpose built facilities are arranged on a site with ramped slipway facilities directly into the River Mersey...
, a member of the Mowlem
Mowlem
Mowlem was one of the largest construction and civil engineering companies in the United Kingdom. Carillion bought the firm in 2006.-History:Founded by John Mowlem in 1822, the company was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1902 and went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1924. It acquired SGB Group in...
group. Jimmy and Jessie continued to manage it for a while, but after Jimmy retired, things began to change. McTay switched to the construction of steel-hulled fishing boats. The yard has closed and lies derelict, more than 200 years of family history had come to an end.
Boats built
The first yacht was steam driven with a clipper bow and an overhanging stern.| Yard No | Name | Type | Launch | | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boy Andrew | Fishing vessel | 1958 | ||
| 1041 | Kebister | 1990 | For Lerwick Port Authority | |
| 1045 | Loch class ferry | 1992 | For Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast... |
|
| 1046 | Loch class ferry | 1992 | For Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast... |
|
| Bruce's | motor Fifie Fifie The Fifie is a design of sailing boat developed on the east coast of Scotland. It was a traditional fishing boat used by Scottish fishermen from the 1850s until well into the 20th century... |
1926 | For Bruce family of Arbroath | |
| Shianne | yacht | 1938 | ex-Bethamar. Still sailing on the Thames | |
| Bluebird | motor yacht | 1932 | For Sir Malcolm Campbell Malcolm Campbell Sir Malcolm Campbell was an English racing motorist and motoring journalist. He gained the world speed record on land and on water at various times during the 1920s and 1930s using vehicles called Blue Bird... ; now Chico |
|
| Crystal W | 1956 | |||
| Lassiette | Yacht | 1947 | Robert Clark design - plans held at National Maritime Museum - Keel Laid 1939 - Still sailing on the Clyde | |
| Johan | Fishing vessel | 1949 | ||
| Largo Law | Pilot vessel | 1924 | ||
| Memphis | Ketch Ketch A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft of the main mast, but forward of the rudder post. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. From one to three jibs may be carried forward of the main mast when going to windward... |
1928 | For A E Holder of Totnes | |
| MV Guide | Passenger/survey vessel | 1954 | ||
| Nostaw | 1957 | |||
| Seacraig | Pilot vessel | 1952 | ||
| Shon Mora | 1956 | |||
| Sunbeam | 1959 | |||
| Wild Venture | Motor sailor | 1964 | For E E Marsh of Marsh & Baxter | |
| Ëlsandra | 33' Miller Fifer Ketch | 1960 | For Lt. Col C.P. Rigby, T.D., J.P of Whitby; now Thistle, ex Tafna | |
| Source: National Historic Register, Lloyd's Register of Yachts (1973) | ||||